Abstract: A method for controlling coupling between a first machine including a first rotating shaft having an associated first positional phase angle defined by a first shaft indicia and a second machine including a second rotating shaft having an associated second positional phase angle defined by a second shaft indicia. A rotational speed and rotational angle of the first shaft are monitored, and rotation of the second shaft is controlled by bringing the second shaft to a predetermined rotational speed relative to the first shaft speed. Acceleration of the second shaft is controlled such that the second shaft indicia is within a predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia upon the second shaft being brought to the predetermined rotational speed, at which point the first and second shafts are coupled such that the second shaft indicia is within the predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia.

Abstract: Inspecting a retaining ring of a dynamoelectric machine includes placing an optical device in a stationary component of the dynamoelectric machine and directing the optical device toward a radial view of the retaining ring. An image is obtained and transmitted of a circumferential portion of the retaining ring, using the optical device during rotation of the rotor. Identification is made of a location of one or more stress cracks forming and visible at the circumferential portion of the annular edge. Further, a structural condition is determined for at least one location on the retaining ring using a metric to identify a value of the metric exceeding a predetermined acceptable value of the metric.

Abstract: Inspecting a retaining ring of a dynamoelectric machine includes placing an optical device in a stationary component of the dynamoelectric machine and directing the optical device toward a radial view of the retaining ring. An image is obtained and transmitted of a circumferential portion of the retaining ring, using the optical device during rotation of the rotor. Identification is made of a location of one or more stress cracks forming and visible at the circumferential portion of the annular edge. Further, a structural condition is determined for at least one location on the retaining ring using a metric to identify a value of the metric exceeding a predetermined acceptable value of the metric.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring vibrations, in a machine having a rotating element, where composite vibration signals are measured and filtered into discreet vector components associated with machine operating frequency. The filtered vectors are then evaluated to obtain a mean and standard deviation, whereupon a further value is obtained and compared to the prior values. Trip conditions may be set to initiate certain actions based on the meeting of the conditions. Additional data related to operating conditions of the machine may be analyzed in conjunction with the vibration data to be considered as providing a cause for vibration anomalies that may be observed. The operating, conditions of the machine may be displayed on a computer display in association with the discreet vector components, for example in a second level folder to the first level folder of the discreet vector components.

Abstract: A method for controlling coupling between a first machine including a first rotating shaft having an associated first positional phase angle defined by a first shaft indicia and a second machine including a second rotating shaft having an associated second positional phase angle defined by a second shaft indicia. A rotational speed and rotational angle of the first shaft are monitored, and rotation of the second shaft is controlled by bringing the second shaft to a predetermined rotational speed relative to the first shaft speed. Acceleration of the second shaft is controlled such that the second shaft indicia is within a predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia upon the second shaft being brought to the predetermined rotational speed, at which point the first and second shafts are coupled such that the second shaft indicia is within the predetermined angle relative to the first shaft indicia.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring vibrations, in a machine having a rotating element, where composite vibration signals are measured and filtered into discreet vector components associated with machine operating frequency. The filtered vectors are then evaluated to obtain a mean and standard deviation, whereupon a further value is obtained and compared to the prior values. Trip conditions may be set to initiate certain actions based on the meeting of the conditions. Additional data related to operating conditions of the machine may be analyzed in conjunction with the vibration data to be considered as providing a cause for vibration anomalies that may be observed. The operating, conditions of the machine may be displayed on a computer display in association with the discreet vector components, for example in a second level folder to the first level folder of the discreet vector components.

Abstract: A system for supporting a retaining ring on an end of body portion of a rotor in an electrodynamic system includes an end wedge which is adapted to be in contact with a retaining ring, a damper bar having a first surface which abuts the end wedge member and a second, oppositely facing surface; and a filler block positioned between the second surface of the damper bar and a field winding portion of a rotor. The filler block has a tapered surface which defines a stress-reducing gap between the field winding portion and the retaining ring, so as to minimize stress in the slot cell and field windings during high-speed rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An improved rotor end winding assembly for an electrodynamic apparatus includes a stack of conductive straps that are configured to turn about an end turn portion of a rotor and include a top strap, a bottom strap and a number of intermediate straps that are stacked between the top strap and the bottom strap. A space defined between the rotor shaft and the bottom strap is divided into a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone by a zone block. A stepped coolant passage defined in the stack includes an ascending passage that leads from the high pressure zone toward the top strap and in the direction of the zone block and low pressure zone, and a descending passage that leads from the ascending passage to the low pressure zone. As a result, coolant will flow from the high pressure zone to said low pressure zone to efficiently cool said stack of straps.

Abstract: A zone block assembly for maintaining a pressure barrier in an end area of a rotor in an electrodynamic system such as an electrical generator includes a zone block which is constructed and arranged to be positioned between a rotor and an end winding in an electrodynamic system to maintain a pressure barrier; and a spring in contact with the zone block for biasing the zone block with respect to the rotor. The spring is fabricated from a material which is non-metallic, so that it will not create destructive metallic projectiles within the electrodynamic system if it breaks as a result of fatigue.

Abstract: A generator rotor pole crossover including a substantially U-shaped portion from which extend legs curving outwardly. The U-shaped portion is thickened in one direction but thinned in another direction, relative to the leg thickness. This configuration provides flexibility to the crossover, decreased stress and relatively constant cross section of resistance purposes. The legs are brazed to the copper conductor winding ends by scarf and lap joints, respectively. The crossover may replace defective crossovers in the field by removing only the end plate of the generator. This allows installation in a short time without risk of damage to generator insulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for thermally balancing the rotor of a dynamo-electric machine by adjusting the flow of coolant through the rotor. According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooling flow is adjusted by inserted baffles into the axial coolant flow passages in the body portion of the rotor. According to another embodiment of the invention the cooling flow is adjusted by inserting adjustable orifices into the radial cooling passages in the body portion of the rotor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in a radially ventilated rotor of a dynamoelectric machine are provided by slots formed in the pole regions of the rotor. Members formed of a selected magnetic material, having longitudinally extending ventilating ducts connected with a plurality of ventilating holes, are inserted within each slot and provided with the same flow of cooling fluid which is introduced into the slot contents of the radially ventilated rotor. Thereafter, the flow of fluid through both the slot contents and the pole regions is equalized in order to prevent flow-induced noise.

Abstract: A flexible conductor for use in a dynamoelectric machine to electrically connect a radial lead of a rotor with field windings and a dynamoelectric machine incorporating such a flexible conductor are disclosed. The flexible conductor has first and second conductive members, the first for attachment to the radial lead and the second, of a U-shaped construction, for connection to the field windings. The two conductive members are spaced apart to form a gap and a flexible connector spans the gap with a portion thereof extending through the gap in the direction of a leg of the second conductive member. The flexible connector is formed from a plurality of sandwiched conductive strips having slots therein which form a catenary connection between the two conductive members, whose radial and tangential stiffness is equal.